On Saturday October 31st, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the UK would be taken into a second lockdown, which came into effect on November 5th.
The lockdown will remain until December 2nd and pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops have closed their doors and members of the public have been told to stay at home for the next four weeks in a bid to reverse the spread of Covid-19.
The new lockdown rules are as follows:
- No mixing of households indoors or in private gardens, unless in your support bubble
- Pubs and restaurants to close but takeaways are permitted
- Individuals can meet one person from outside their household in an outdoor environment
- Non-essential shops, leisure facilities including gyms and entertainment venues will shut
- People encouraged to stay at home and only leave for specific reasons, including education and work
- Domestic and foreign travel is permitted for work and education purposes only
- Schools, universities and colleges to remain OPEN
As a result of this announcement, Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, in which the government pays up to 80% of a person’s wages up to £2,500 per month, will be extended until March 2021 and would apply throughout the UK.
As part of the revised scheme, anyone who is made redundant after September 23rd can be and put back on furlough if they find new employment.
Mr Sunak also announced support for self-employed individuals through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) would be increased from to 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500 until January 2021.
Businesses in England that are forced to close due to the lockdown restrictions will receive up to £3,000 per month.
Local Authorities in England will also receive one-off funding of over a billion pounds to support businesses over the coming months as a key part of local economies.
How will the new lockdown effect childcare businesses?
The Government continues to prioritise the wellbeing and long-term futures of children and young people and will not be closing early years settings, schools, colleges or universities. However, after-school clubs will be suspended until December 2nd.
In addition, the Government has stated that it remains critical for children and young people to attend nurseries and school, to support their education and help working parents and guardians.
Senior clinicians still advise that schools and nurseries are the best place for children to be, and so they should continue to attend.
Despite many providers losing income during the first lockdown and working at a reduced capacity, the news has been welcomed by nurseries across the UK.
If you want further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support
We are now able to offer both face-to-face and virtual video appointments to comply with social distancing guidelines which can be conducted via a secure, confidential video conferencing facility and we can update you on the current market and option available to you. Please feel free to contact us to discuss your nursery business in confidence.
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